"We Don't Play Against Girls"

The New Wooster Middle School Flag Football Team and its Only Girl Player, Bridee Rexford '27

By: Lucy Newman and Natalie Anderson

Bridee Rexford, '27 is a member of the new Wooster Middle School flag football team, and she is not only the only girl on the team, but also the coach's daughter, both challenges that she's had to persevere through. There have been controversies with having a girl on the team, such as one coach of an opposing team saying, "We don't play against girls."

Bridee didn't know about the other team's rude remark until after the game, but she jokes that if she had known there would've been a bit more pushing. For Bridee, being the only girl on the team isn't as intimidating because of the support she's gotten from her teammates, friends, and family.

Aaron Koenig, '27 is also a member of the team. He says, "It's awesome that our school has come to a point where they have realized that gender equality on the sports field is just as important as gender equality anywhere else." He also believes Bridee and our school are an inspiration to other girls who want to play football. Other players on the team such as Dion Vinca, Steven Accomando, and Yiorgos Rountos believe that having a girl on the team doesn't make much of a difference on the field, but it sometimes can for other teams because they tend to underestimate Bridee's skills. They love that Bridee brings diversity to the team and they're very happy to have her in the flag football community.

This is the first year having a middle school flag football team at Wooster, and Coach Rexford has talked about how the team has had an impact; "We talk about practice during the day and on gameday there is more excitement and energy level is up. This team has been through a lot together, the ups and downs have made us stronger. Personally, I have seen much courage on the field, I have seen them support one another. No way this does not make our school stronger. Genius move on Mr. Carone's part for starting this program. I feel like it has connected me to their story in ways that would have taken a lot longer. I love coming to school each day, and now I love it even more." Because of this safe and fun environment, Bridee hasn't felt intimidated by her differences from other kids on the team, and Coach Rexford said himself that all her teammates have treated her just the same as they would any other player.

On Thursday October 13th, the flag football team had a victory against St. Aloysius, a close game where they won by 2 points. Bridee and all her teammates played incredibly, and she scored an exciting touchdown with an assist from Dion Vinca. Although Bridee has faced a few difficulties this season, she has also gotten exposed to new exciting opportunities and inspired many other people including me to not let stereotypes and obstacles get in the way of doing things that make you happy. We are all so lucky to be in such a safe and friendly school environment and we hope you can all show up to the next game on October 25th to cheer on our favorite girl on the flag football team, Bridee Rexford.